As the scene comes back in, Firion is being revived by Mindu and Hilda, which is the one who found him and two(?) others barely alive. After some talking about leaving him to recover and something about the Dreadnought and the Empire attacking full force, they leave, as Firion awakens. Wondering where he is, he calls out his friends' names and rushes out to find Maria and Gus. After the reunion and since Leon is still missing, they both join Firion and go and see Princess Hilda. Firion asks to join the Rebels, but Hilda won't let them and tells them to go home, but their parents are dead and they have no home. She tells them she's sorry and they can live in Altair, but they need to learn the password, so, talk to her and memorise Wild Rose.
You can ask Hilda about the "Wild Rose" and she mentions what it is and how possibly Leon is at Fynn, due to them rounding up survivors and putting them there, but due to Monsters, it's not going to be easy. Anyway, after this, go ahead and talk to anyone you wish in the Rebels' Hideout here and when you're ready, make sure you grab the Treasure Chest to the west in the main room to get a Potion. After this, exit the Rebels' Hideout and in Altair, you can talk to the people, but not a lot of them really give out a whole bunch of useful information. Though, you'll want to go shopping, definitely. You don't have too much Gil to start with, so, I suggest you get armour first. Buy Gus a Buckler, 3 Leather Caps for everyone and 3 Leather Gloves for everyone, though you'll only have enough for 2. Once you get more money by training, get the third Leather Glove, then at the magic shop, be sure to by one of each Spell. Trust me, you WILL want these. (Also, Pavel and Gordon are near the Rebels' Hideout, so talk to them if you wish. Both are important later on.)
Also, you'll want to figure out what weapon each character will train the most in and you'll want to keep it that way. It's totally pointless and a waste of time to train everyone in everything or to train 2 or more people in the same weapon, due to not always having the best Equipment for each one at the same time. The default is Firion-Sword, Maria-Bow and Gus-Axe. Leon uses a Sword and an axe if you were wondering. I suggest you keep them training in the defaults, but it's up to you. I used the Sword, Bow and axe with them and I had a GREAT time with it. Daggers are crappy, fists are good if you don't like weapons, Spears are ok and Staffs generally suck for 95% of the game, so, yeah, Sword, Bow and Axe will do for you. If not, whatever you want, really.
As for who to train in Magic… well, a lot of people suggest you train everyone in it, but I suggest you train Maria with Magic only. Training everyone takes a good while and you'll want to keep Firion and Gus as your power hitters and Maria as the Spell caster. I know, only one Magic user for the game? Well, I did JUST fine with her alone, but again, up to you. Either way, most of the Magic is useless and I'll give you my recommendations throughout the walkthrough on what to buy and what not to, but it's always your call. I WILL get you through the game, but if you think something is better or not as good as I suggest, that's cool. If, though, you are following what I say, since Maria is using a Bow and being your Magic User, keep her in the Back Row.
Anyway, make sure to buy the Cure, Fire, Ice and Bolt Spells when you can, the other Leather Glove and outside, get everyone's HP up to at least 200-300, higher if you want and everyone's weapon/Shield Skills up to at least Level 3 or so. Also make sure to get Cure, Fire, Ice and Bolt up to Levels 2-3 if you can. For buying Items, this is totally up to you. The prices are OUTRAGEOUS in this game, but I do suggest some Potions, Antidotes and Eye Drops. (Note: For a quick and easy way to train, check out Secrets for more.) Once you're ready, though, head northwest of Altair and enter Gatrea.
Note: If you really want to over train yourself, go for at least 1,000 HP, Level 8 for Cure, Fire, Ice and Bolt and as high weapons/Shield Skills you can get before you notice they aren't increasing any more. By then, you'll NEVER have to train for a GOOD amount of the game and when you do, you'll only need to do it once more and then you can easily beat the game. I don't recommend this, though, unless you REALLY like über strong characters and want the game to be a cakewalk for the most part. Up to you, so, make your choice now.
There's not a lot here… only thing you can do is talk to the people. The weapon/item shops have nothing new, but check the armour shop and buy Maria a Leather Armour. Once you get this, exit Gatrea and head west across the bridge and follow the lake around up to the north, then east to Fynn and enter it.
Note: On your way to Fynn, there's some blue patches of land you'll see. IF, that's a big if, you are feeling daring and want to fight some strong Monsters, walk around here. The Monsters are quite rewarding, especially the Soldiers, Spiketoises and Warlocks. Most of the time you'll receive Scrolls from the Warlocks, which some sell for 5,000 Gil!!! Getting a few of these babies and selling them will net you a decent amount of pocket change for a good while. Also, you may receive some of the Mythril Equipment here, although it's rare, possibly even a Battle Axe for Gus. The Monsters you can fight here are: Ogre, Ogre Mage, Warlock, Spiketoise, Wererat, Phorusracos and Deadringers. Up to you, but I don't suggest this if you are weak. 300 HP minimum and with some decent Magic as well to at least barely survive.
Once you enter Fynn, I STRONGLY advise you don't talk to ANY of the Soldiers here, as they are Captains and will royally knock you around. If, though, you have about 1,000 HP and some VERY high Magic, go for it, as they drop Golden Mails and Flame Bows, some REALLY good stuff at this point in the game. Though, if you can't fight them, don't worry about it. Anyway, you'll notice you'll fight Battles around here, but it's nothing you can't handle. Every shop here is empty and it looks like no one's around… but, go to the very north of Fynn, like you're going to leave and carefully edge your way around the trees, that lead to the east and hug the wall you come to and head south to find the Pub. Enter it and head over to the man behind the counter and tell him "Wild Rose" and he'll tell you about an injured Soldier inside a hidden passage near him.
He'll leave, so, enter the wall to the east and in this area, follow the path and open the 3 Treasure Chests here to get 3 Potions, then talk to the man in bed. He thinks you're trying to sell him off to the Empire and tells you to kill him, but tell him "Wild Rose" and he sees you're Rebels. After telling you he's Scott, the Prince of Kai'son, though it was rumoured he was killed in combat. He was almost, but he's getting there and tells you to tell his brother, Gordon, to be the new leader and to get some confidence in himself and so forth, talking about Fynn being overtaken and such. He speaks about Hilda, but tells them not to tell her about him loving her, since she needs to find someone else. Maria asks about Leon, but Scott doesn't know him, as he gives you the Ring, which lets you view the World Map now, (Hold the Circle Button and then press the Start Button) as Scott passes out and dies.
After this, go ahead and leave Fynn. Outside, head back to Altair.
Back in Altair, head to the Rebels' Hideout and talk to Hilda. Show her the Ring by going to Items when you speak to her and she sees it was Scott's. She asks about him, but Firion fills her in on the bad news and he gives her the Ring, but she tells you to keep it, noticing how you infiltrated Fynn and lived and how she underestimated you. After letting you become Rebels, she speaks about needing Mythril, so, talk to her again and memorise Mythril and ask her about it. She tells you they need it, since the Empire had Mythril Equipment and they couldn't match it, so, they also need it in order to fight them. After telling you to head to Salamand and find Josef, the one she sent to investigate where a Mythril Mine might be, talk to Mindu, who Hilda wants you to go with.
He's right next to Hilda, so, speak with him and he'll join you and give you the Canoe, your first Vehicle. Mindu is a welcome addition to the party, knowing a vast amount of Spells and having a fair amount of power. I suggest you rob him of his Copper Plate and give it to Firion and also take his Magiconch and Ether for yourself. Equip him with a Buckler, Firion's Leather Armour, a Leather Cap and Leather Gloves, but don't bother training him at all. Also, talk to Hilda again and memorise "Dreadnought" from her, since it's something the Empire is making now. Ask her about it and memorise Airship, then ask her about it and you'll learn about Cid, who use to lead the White Knights, but now runs an Airship service in Poft. When you're ready, do some more training if you wish, but either way, leave Altair and head north into the lake, then head east to find Paloom and enter it.